What is Hydroponics and is it Good for You?

Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil…Yes without soil! In a nutshell, all of the growing conditions, heat, light, nutrition, and water are controlled. Some use a non-nutritive growing medium and give the plants specific nutrients, as needed while others are grown with their roots suspended in a nutrient bath. Hydroponic proponents believe that if you give a plant what it needs, when it needs it and the amount it needs, the plant will be as healthy as genetically possible. They also state that plants growing in soil are much less healthy and contain less nutrition, as the roots are looking for vitamin and mineral sources, wasting energy that can be used for growth.

Hydroponics is an interesting method of modern plant farming. My concern is that we have not yet completely understood everything about plant growth, including co-existing species, such as bacteria, worms and other soil-dwellers. Some questions that come to mind: What is the source of the nutrient bath? Are the raw materials organic? What is the difference between the extreme manipulation of hydroponics and genetically modifying the entire plant?

The jury is still out on whether hydroponics growing is better or worse for you. My advice is to ask questions and if you cannot get answers, move on!

Dr. Scott Schreiber

Dr. Scott Schreiber has been practicing in Newark, Delaware for over 11 years. He is a chiropractic physician, double board certified in rehabilitation and clinical nutrition, a certified nutrition specialist and a licensed dietitian/nutritionist. He can be contacted via his website www.drscottschreiber.com.

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